PIKE. 



33 



PIKE. 



THE Pike is a native of most of the lakes, 

 ponds, and rivers in England, and is known to 

 grow to be upwards of thirty pounds in weight; 

 the head of it is very flat, the upper jaw broad, 

 and shorter than the lower, which turns up a 

 little at the end, and is marked with minute 

 punctures ; the teeth are very sharp, disposed 

 only in front of the upper jaw, but in both sides 

 of the lower, as well as in the roof of the mouth, 

 and often on the tongue ; the gape is very wide, 

 the eyes small, and the tail is slightly forked. 

 The usual colour of it is a pale olive grey, deep- 

 est on the back, and is marked on the sides by 

 several yellowish spots or patches ; when in its 

 highest perfection the colours are more brilliant, 

 the sides being of a bright olive, with yellow 

 spots, the back dark green, and the belly silvery. 



